Swimming device



y 1930. EKWEGNER 1,757,277

SWIMMING DEVICE Filed July 8, 1929 Patented May 6, 1930 TTES EMIL WEGNER, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN SWIMMING DEVICE Application filed. July 8, 1929.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in swimming devices and more particularly to a device adapted for use by a novice or one just learning to swim.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a device adapted to be grasped by the hands of persons who are learning to swim whereby by'propulsive action they can easily work their way through the water and at the same time be kept afloat by a buoyantbag carried by each device.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character which includes in its construction parachute like members which are arranged to fold up when passing through the water but will readily open to offer resistance to the water when pulling power is applied thereto so that persons through reciprocating movement of these devices can readily propel themselves through the water.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above character which is comparatively simple in construction so that it can be readily manufactured and placed upon the market at a very low cost, but will prove efficient for the purpose intended.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out inthe claims and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating my improved swimming device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation with parts thereof broken away and illustrated in cross section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line. 33 of Figure 1 showing one of the parachute like members in open position, and

Figure 4 is a detail longitudinal section on the line M of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein I have illustrated the construction of one of my improved swimming devices it will be noted that I provide a longi tudinal bar 1 formed with a transversely offset hand grip 2 intermediate the ends there- Serial No. 376,719.

of and secured to the bar 1 upon each side of the hand grip 2 are the parachute like memhere 3.

The members 3 are formed somewhat like an umbrella or parachute with the bar 1 disposed centraliy of each member, and include in their construction a fabric body 4 of suitable size secured at its central portion to the bar 1 and is adapted to be folded down against the bar as shown in Figure 1 or open outwardly as shown in Figure 3. The opening movement is'limited by means of the stay cords 5 the outer ends of which are connected to the fabric body while the inner ends are connected to the bar 1 by means of eye screws or other suitable fastening means.

From the above it will be apparent that when the bar 1 and members 3 are forced through the water in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 the fabric body will fold up around the bar so as to offer but very little resistance to the water. When, however, pulling power is applied to the bar 1 the fabric body will immediately open and offer resistance to the water. In order to assist the fabric body 4 in closing suitable coil springs 6 are attached at one end to the bar 1 and at the other end to the fabric body at various points and these springs are placed under tension when the body is forced to an open position so that the tension of these springs will assist in closing or folding up the body when it is forced through the water.

In order to provide a buoyant member for supporting the bar 1 and the members in case the user should let go of the hand grip and also to provide means for assisting the user in supporting himself in the water I provide an inflatable bag 7 which has an inflation valve 8 at one end and is entirely enclosed in a fabric cover 9. The fabric cover 9 also encases a rod 10, preferably of wood, which extends parallel with the bag 7 and is adapted to carry the screw eyes 11.

The buoyant member is connected to the bar 1 by means of the cords 12 one of which is connected to the front end of bar 1 and to rod -10 at its forward end and the other cord has one end connected to the hand grip 2 and to the rod adjacent its rear end. It will be noted that the buoyant member and the bar are not parallel but the bar is disposed on an incline with respect to the bag with the forward end slightly higher than the rear end as this will be the most natural position for the person using the device.

It is a well known fact that persons pushing anything through the water ahead of them by their hands will have a tendency to push the object on an upward incline and therefore by inclining bar 1 the buoyant member will always rest on top of the water. Furthermore when a person using the device has reached the limit'of a forward stroke and then exerts a backward pull on the device the tendency will be to pull downwardly on the device so that the natural backward pull will be rearwardly and downwardly on an incline approximately on the angle in 29 which the bar 1 is shown in Figure 1.

' From the above. it will be apparent that I have provided avery simple and useful device which can not only be used by beginners but can be used by regular swimmers when they desire to swim a long distance and have some aid during the swim.

While I have shown and described the pre ferred embodiment of my invention it will be readily apparent that various changes and alterations may be carried out in putting the invention into practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Claims:

3.5 1. A device of. the class described including a bar, a hand grip carried thereby, parachute like members carried by the bar upon opposite sides of the hand grip, and a buoyant member having fiexible connection with 40 said bar.

2. In a device of the class described, a buoyant member, a bar loosely suspended therefrom, a hand grip on the bar and parachute members carried by the bar.

3. In a device of the class described, a buoyant member, a bar loosely suspended therefrom, a hand grip on the bar and parachute members at each end of the bar adapted to fold up around the bar or open away from so the same.

4. In a device of the class described, a buoyant member, a rod extending parallel therewith, a fabric covering for the said buoyant member and rod, a bar flexibly suspended from said rod, a hand grip carried by the bar, and parachute like members carried by the bar at opposite sides of the hand grip.

5. A device of the class described including a buoyant member having a bar loosely suspended therefrom, a hand grip on the bar, and foldable parachute members carried by the bar.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my. hand this 20th day of June, A. D. 1929.

EMIL WEGNER. 

